The night started like a smooth ride on an open highway for a promising young pitcher—until he hit a wall at full speed. Well, for the first three innings on Monday night, he looked like a guy ready to lock down his space in the Chicago Cubs rotation. He simply needed 28 pitches to carve through the Cardinals’ lineup. All he had to do was flash the calm and composed part of himself that fans loved. But sadly, it all unraveled for him with a simple update on Shota Imanaga.

Four two-run homers later, Ben Brown was walking off the mound with his head down, watching his spot in the big leagues slip away almost in real time. The Cubs fell 8-2, and Brown was left with another frustrating outing. His sixth start of the season, where he gave up five or more runs! And he was more than frustrated.

Brown mentioned, “It just happened really fast. It’s really frustrating. It’s going to be tough to sleep tonight, knowing I was that close to something really good tonight, and just as fast as it went away. It’s hard.” But what makes his outing even worse is actually the timing. Now, Cubs manager Craig Counsell just revealed that Imanaga is coming back. And really, it could change everything for Brown.

Imanaga, the veteran lefty, has been on the injured list since May 5. And well, he is said to return to the rotation on Thursday. Counsell told Athletic, “He’s ready to go. He did a full rehab. Everything that happened on rehab was according to schedule. The performance was very good, and all the important data we look at was good.” So this means that there is no easing him back in. Imanaga is getting the ball, and someone else will be stepping aside, and that someone very well could be Brown.

Counsell also mentioned that Matthew Boyd and Porter Hodge are nearing their activation. So, add that to Imanaga’s return, and the Cubs suddenly have more arms than they have rotation spots. Plus, Brown, who will have a minor league option left, is seemingly most likely to be sent down. And it’s not like Brown is not thinking about it—he sure is, and he even admitted it. Brown said, “Yeah, stuff like that is going to be in the back of your mind. Obviously, when guys show up in the locker room, they’re going to need spots to pitch. It’s hard. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. I just have to do my job, and I didn’t do it tonight.”

But then it’s not a talent issue really, because Brown has got the tools. He has struck out over 25% of the batters he has faced. However, the problem is his inconsistency, paired with the Cubs’ playoff urgency. This combination could send him back down. While Brown’s struggle and Imanaga’s return might be the headline, it’s not the entire Cubs story of 2025 till now. While pitching needs to find its rhythm, the rest of the roster has done some serious heavy lifting.

Pete Crow-Armstrong steals the spotlight in the Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are currently on top of the National League Central, all thanks to their offense and defense. Only one team has saved more defensive runs than them, as they’ve racked up 43 this season. Sure, June has not been kind to them, and they won just two series, and both were with bottom-tier teams. But one should cut them some slack, as slumps are expected throughout a 162-game season. But what sets the Cubs apart is how complete the team is otherwise, and at the heart of it is Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Armstrong has been a one-man highlight reel for the Cubs. He launched 21 homers before the All-Star break. It’s a feat the Cubs have not seen from two players since 2016, with Suzuki matching him this season. And his numbers are just eye-watering—a 4.3 WAR through 74 games. It essentially puts him on pace to join the franchise history along with greats like Sosa, Banks, Santo, and Hornsby.

Plus, it is not just the offense; Armstrong also ranks in the 100th percentile in fielding value, the 99th in baserunning, and 89th in batting. ESPN’s David Schoenfield called him “the triple crown of awesomeness.” Also, Crow Armstrong has defined expectations even with a league-worst chase rate. No errors, seven defensive runs saved, and he is essentially acting like the glue holding the Cubs together.

But yes, the Cubs need pitching, and the trade deadline will matter. But if Armstrong and defense keep it together, they will be headed to October. Do you think the same, too? Let us know in the comments.